According to Der Spiegel and Bild, Germany has drawn up contingency plans for a potential military conflict with Russia, with key highways designated for NATO troop movements.
The German Defense Ministry has reportedly developed contingency plans for a possible military confrontation with Russia, according to Der Spiegel and Bild. These plans reportedly envision Germany playing a crucial role as a transit state for NATO troops, with the country’s population and civil services expected to assist foreign military personnel.
Last month, the German government updated its wartime guidelines for the first time since 1989, which now include measures such as mandatory conscription and forcing manufacturers to produce war goods.
In its report on Friday, Der Spiegel reported that under the classified ‘Operational Plan Germany’ (OPLAN DEU), Germany would be able to facilitate the transfer of 800,000 NATO troops and approximately 200,000 vehicles, including tanks and other military equipment, from ports in the Netherlands and Belgium to the East, within three to six months. Several key highways would be utilized for this purpose, resulting in their closure to civilian traffic. Local communities would be expected to provide food, lodging, resting areas, and fuel for the passing military personnel, both media outlets reported.
Der Spiegel quoted Ralph Tiesler, president of the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, as predicting that “enemy actors could take measures to hamper or slow down the movement of NATO troops,” through sabotage or a missile strike. German police and emergency services would reportedly be tasked with prioritizing the protection of these key routes and mitigating the consequences of any attacks on them.
According to Bild, citing a Defense Ministry spokesperson, in addition to its role as NATO’s logistical hub, Germany would also need to establish a major prisoner-of-war camp on its soil if a military confrontation with Russia were to occur.
The two media outlets quoted Bundeswehr Inspector General Carsten Breuer as estimating that Berlin has until 2029 to prepare for a potential military conflict with Moscow, as Russia could theoretically be in a position to attack NATO by then.
Local communities are already taking precautions and conducting drills for this worst-case scenario. According to Der Spiegel, citing the mayor of an unnamed town, local residents have not shown any enthusiasm for these efforts.
“Only a few have so far comprehended what the ‘turn of eras’ means,” the media outlet quoted the official as saying.
While multiple NATO member states have claimed in recent months that Russia is planning to attack the US-led military bloc, Russian President Vladimir Putin last month dismissed such allegations as “nonsense” and “bulls**t.” He suggested that those promoting these narratives have “gone completely insane.”